Roller Federation's Olympic Proposal

[Robert]

The International Roller Skating Federation has proposed a short program of four inline races for the 2012 Olympics.

Here's the story:

http://inlineplanet.com/Articles2/OlympicProposal.html

What do you think about the proposal?

[Bill Begg]

Hi Robert,

Its a great proposal & makes common sence, ajusting our programme, to meet the IOC criteria.

Cheers
Bill Begg

[cnvanr]

Hi Robert.

a 300 meter time trial, a 500 meter sprint, a 10,000 kilometer race, and a 20,000 kilometer elimination.
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I think you meant this --> a 300 meter time trial, a 500 meter sprint, a 10,000 meter race, and a 20 kilometer elimination.

Those guys at FIRS look thoughtless and timid.
They even appear they don't know what kind of fun inline skating could ever give to people.
Many people like the sport of inline skating because they can go anywhere their instincts tell them to if the road is paved.
Inline skating gives people more freedom than ice skating. If their skating terrain was confined only to tracks, they wouldn't have chosen the sport of inline skating.
I think Inline marathon should have been included.
It was FIRS' mistake that it failed to do so. FIRS should have been more agressive.
Global participation?, Spectator attendance?, Media interest?
Inline marathon has a bigger chance of meeting those criteria than the ones the proposal specifies.
Half marathon is not enough. FIRS appears to have set a poor standard for represeting the true characteristics of inline skating.
I think those guys at FIRS should know inline skating is different from ice skating. Inline skating gives different kind of fun from ice skating.
Inline skating is not a quasi ice skating.

[Robert]

jinwoo

Thanks for alerting me to the mistakes:

The longer distances are:

a 5 K and a 20 K elimination.

Robert

[Mike Gurr]

For roller sports to get into the Olympic games the races have to be simple, fast and cost effective as was stated in the proposal. Remember that most viewers of sports want action fast and with quick results. That concept brings in viewing numbers. The timed trial and sprint races are great for that. The longer races can be compared to watching the 1500 meter track and field race, long and not very compelling till the last few laps. This tends to loose an audience. For roller sports to be effective in capturing the views interest we have the advantage that inline races are fast and a 5K would be done in less than 10 minutes. Pushing past a 13K gets viewers similiar to a bike tour race. It draws only from people who are avid fans and followers of that sport and unfortunately inline racing has a small overall following. I think its a good start for inline racing recognition and hopefully it will grow and get major sponsors. After all, our sport has much better athletes than any X game participants.

[Robert]

Mike,

My guess is that TV viewers will enjoy the 20 K elimination. The way it's set up is inherently exiciting. After the first few laps (depending on the size of the course), the slowest skater is eliminated at the end of each lap. Finally, with three laps to go, only five skaters remain to battle it out for the medals.

That sounds pretty exciting to me!

Robert

[Tahiti-girl]

Skaters are tired of getting the short shrift. Inline needs a leg up on the other named sports to win Olympic inclusion. Short and to the point..Any port in a storm. If a cheap skate can get the job done, so be it.